And for the artistically inclined who'd like a break from the thought of the surging pandemic, there's Yaoling Lee's virtual workshop and exhibit. It's called "Zoom 2020" and runs from November 2nd to November 14th. Cherisse Halsall heard more about this latest project from the artist herself.
Back in September, we introduced you to artist Yaoling Lee, an artist who was blazing a unique trail in Belize by bringing art to public spaces. But what happens to public exhibitions in a time of social distancing? Well, not much because it's not art for art's sake. Art exists when there's a connection between the artist and the viewer, a connection captured in time.
I caught up with Yaoling this afternoon at her studio where she shared a bit of her pandemic experience.
Yaoling Lee - Artist
"Everything stopped, for the first month during the lockdown I did nothing. I just sat outside in my backyard, and I watched the news like everyone else and I cried. It was just an awful experience and I'm still very emotional about it and then after one month, really one month, four weeks, I did nothing. I just sat outside because it was crazy what happened? People are dying everywhere, yeah so then I came back to the idea I said we'll need to do something not really, the end is not to help people but to help myself I didn't know how to cope with what's happening right now so I need to find a way, for me it's almost like therapy. So, I said I need to help so I can feel better."
She decided to do illustrations called "YOU CAN HELP" a collaboration for Corona relief where Yaoling "the Plein Air artist" did something she rarely does: she painted from pictures.
These are the commissioned portraits requested to honour loved ones. And that's how Yaoling passed the lockdown knowing that she was contributing and bringing people together to do something meaningful. All proceeds were donated to Belize's Corona relief efforts.
But now she's onto another project, virtual art classes entitled "ZOOM 2020" It's a 45 dollar package through which online students can learn the fundamentals of drawing, still life, and Plein air drawing.
Yaoling Lee
"I think it's a good thing if I can offer fundamental classes, not painting but drawing so when N.I.C.H. Sapna asked me to do this workshop. I gladly said yes. This is the setting you see and we, this is the online class I don't see you we don't, we stay safe at home."
And Yaoling is offering this workshop to everyone, it's even open to kids although she does encourage their parents to take the class with them.
Yaoling Lee
"It's all about drawing fundamental drawing but it's really good for beginner actually for those new to drawing and art to understand because I will teach you how to observe your subject matter especially from the very very beginning, even for me I've been drawing and painting for quite some years but still I go back to fundamentals once in a while. It's like the musician you have to go back to scales and ---and ---practice every day it's the same concept. The box will be the first is the first subject that we're going to work with and I will explain to you what's going on with the shadow with the light, with the volume and then we will have a group chat --on the facebook page you can upload your work and I can answer your questions right away and it's a two week workshop, Monday to Friday, Monday to Friday."
And if you're a budding artist who simply can't afford that 45-dollar price tag there's still hope for you to get in on this workshop. Saidy Godette, the owner of Belmopan's Art Shak, believes that art should be for anyone possessed of passion. She's offered to sponsor two workshop participants.
Those who'd like to Join Yaoling's Zoom 2020 class can reach out to the Museum of Belize's Facebook page or email ILONA.SMILING@NICHBELIZE.ORG
